Anemone Coral

About

Anemone coral (Goniopora pandoraensis) is one of the branching members of a genus well known for its long, swaying polyps that give colonies an almost anemone-like appearance when fully extended. The colony structure is made up of small branching columns, oval in cross-section, with thick-walled corallites and prominent septa. Each polyp is ringed by six thick lobes that form a distinct crown around a pale mouth, and the overall coloration runs toward dark grey-brown with white tips and mouths. Subtle but with real texture when the polyps are out. In the wild, this coral comes from shallow reef environments in the Western Central Pacific, where it grows in turbid, sediment-influenced water at depths down to around 14 meters. That tolerance for murkier, lower-clarity conditions is actually worth knowing as a keeper, since many Goniopora species can be finicky. Like all Goniopora, this one carries a reputation that puts it in intermediate territory. The genus as a whole has historically been difficult to keep long-term, and G. pandoraensis is no exception. Keepers who have had the best luck tend to provide moderate flow and strong lighting while keeping water chemistry very stable. Not the right pick for a brand new reef tank, but a rewarding coral for someone ready to pay attention.